What About Bamboo Batting?

Questions about bamboo batting often arise in class. That led to a bit of research and I thought I would share what I have learned.

First, experience with bamboo batting showed that it makes beautiful, draping quilts. The fibers are silky, soft and even supple. It is beautiful with either hand or machine quilting. However, bamboo fibers are also sensitive to heat. Be careful in laundering and use warm or cold water.

The first generation of bamboo batting was 100% bamboo. Experience has shown blends are more long-lived and user friendly. At present the blends are usually 50% bamboo and 50% organically grown cotton in keeping with the bamboo organic farming.

Bamboo is considered renewable. The crop can be harvested year after year without replanting. Some grow two feet a day. Bamboo fiber is biodegradable and the crop doesn’t require fertilizer or pesticides. As a result, many products from bamboo are advertised as environmentally friendly.

Inner parts of bamboo are treated either chemically or mechanically. Most, but not all, bamboo fabrics made today still are processed with chemicals to become a ‘rayon soft’ fiber. Many bamboo battings are advertised as being antibacterial. While the fibers from bamboo are, the manufacturing process destroys this characteristic unless it is treated with natural enzymes.

Bamboo batting can wick moisture very well. This is nice for winter warmth similar to wool batting.

Try using bamboo batting in your next quilt. Stay with a tried and true manufacturer and use warm or cold water in the washer and drier. Happy quilting!